Capsule With Messaging System

ABSTRACT

A capsule is provided with a body defining an interior space having an opening. A filter is disposed in the interior space to define an ingredients chamber. Ingredients are disposed in the ingredients chamber and a cover is disposed over the opening to seal the interior space. A messaging system is provided with the capsule to provide a desired message.

This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/224,646 filed on Mar. 24, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/804,979, filed on Mar. 25, 2013, the contents of both applications hereby incorporated by reference into this specification.

FIELD

This specification relates to capsules adapted for use in machines for preparing products from capsules, and in particular to capsules having a system for delivering a message such as a promotional message.

BACKGROUND

The following background discussion is not an admission that anything discussed below is citable as prior art or common general knowledge. The documents listed below are incorporated herein in their entirety by this reference to them.

Single serve capsules for use in machines to prepare a desired consumable product are becoming increasingly popular. Such capsules come in a variety of formats most typically for producing beverages such as espresso coffee, drip coffee, tea, hot chocolate or soup broth.

With the increasing popularity of single serve capsules, and increased competition among capsule producers, it is desirable to find ways to encourage consumers to purchase one brand of consumable capsule over another. One way to encourage consumers to purchase capsules is to provide promotional information within the capsules, such as information concerning a prize that a consumer has won by purchasing the capsule.

It is also desirable to encourage consumers to separate or disassemble components of capsules following use, where capsules are adapted for this purpose, for disposal in an environmentally responsible manner. One way to encourage consumers to disassemble components of the capsule is to provide promotional information, such as noted above, within the interior space of the capsule where such information requires the capsule to be at least partially disassembled to access the information.

There is a need for a capsule that is adapted for providing messages to consumers to encourage a desired behavior such as one or more of the behaviors described above.

SUMMARY

In one aspect the invention provides a capsule for use in a machine to prepare a desired product, the machine having an injection system for injecting a fluid into the capsule and a dispensing system for dispensing the product from the capsule to a desired receptacle, the capsule comprising:

a body defining an interior space having an opening;

ingredients disposed in said interior space for mixing with a fluid to prepare a desired product;

a messaging system disposed in said interior space, said messaging system being adapted to provide promotional information;

a cover disposed over said opening for sealing said interior space.

In another aspect the invention provides capsule for use in a machine to prepare a desired product, the machine having an injection system for injecting a fluid into the capsule and a dispensing system for dispensing the product from the capsule to a desired receptacle, the capsule comprising:

a body defining an interior space having an opening;

ingredients disposed in said interior space for mixing with a fluid to prepare a desired product;

a cover disposed over said opening for sealing said interior space, said cover being adapted to be removed at least partially from said opening following use of said capsule in the machine;

indicia displayed on an interior surface of said capsule, said indicia being adapted to deliver a desired message only when said cover has been at least partially removed from said capsule.

In another aspect the invention provides capsule for use in a machine to prepare a desired product, the machine having an injection system for injecting a fluid into the capsule and a dispensing system for dispensing the product from the capsule to a desired receptacle, the capsule comprising:

a body defining an interior space having an opening;

ingredients disposed in said interior space for mixing with a fluid to prepare a desired product;

a cover disposed over said opening for sealing said interior space;

indicia displayed on an interior surface of said capsule, said indicia being adapted to deliver a desired message only when said capsule has been used in machine.

Other aspects and features of the teachings disclosed herein will become apparent, to those ordinarily skilled in the art, upon review of the following description of the specific examples of the specification.

DRAWINGS

The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way. For simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the drawings to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a capsule in accordance with the present invention, the capsule being disposed in a schematic representation of a machine for preparing product from capsules;

FIGS. 2(a) to 2(c), are sectional views of a closed system of capsule with different embodiments of messaging system in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 3(a) to 3(c) are schematic views of different embodiments of signaling system for use with the messaging system shown in FIG. 2(b);

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an open system of capsule with a messaging system in accordance with an embodiment the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a cover for a capsule in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a body for a capsule in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an open system of capsule with a messaging system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

Various apparatuses or methods will be described below to provide examples of the claimed invention. The claimed invention is not limited to apparatuses or methods having all of the features of any one apparatus or method described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses described below. The claimed invention may reside in a combination or sub-combination of the apparatus elements or method steps described below. It is possible that an apparatus or method described below is not an example of the claimed invention. The applicant(s), inventor(s) and/or owner(s) reserve all rights in any invention disclosed in an apparatus or method described below that is not claimed in this document and do not abandon, disclaim or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.

A capsule in accordance with the present invention is shown generally at 10 in the figures. Capsule 10 includes a body 12, filter 14, ingredients 16 and cover 18. Body 12 and cover 18 may each be formed of multilayered materials that include one or more barrier layers providing barriers against one or more environmental factors such as light, oxygen, and moisture.

Capsule 10 is sized and configured for use in a machine 20 that is adapted for preparing a product from capsule 10. An injection system 22 may be provided for injecting a fluid, typically water, into the capsule for mixing with ingredients 16. A dispensing system 24 may also be provided for dispensing product (that is formed by mixing ingredients 16 with fluid) from capsule 10 into a desired receptacle such as a bowl or cup (not shown).

Injection system 22 may include a nozzle 22 a disposed on machine 20 that is adapted to pierce cover 18 to inject fluid into capsule 10. Injection system 20 may alternatively have at least one component disposed on capsule 10, such as on cover 18, and adapted to pierce body 12 and interact with machine 20 to inject fluid into capsule 10.

Dispensing system 24 may include a probe 24 a disposed on machine 20 that is adapted to pierce capsule 10 to dispense a prepared product from capsule 10 into a desired receptacle. Dispensing system 24 may alternatively have at least one component disposed on capsule 10, such as on body 12, and adapted to interact with machine to pierce capsule 10 and dispense product into a receptacle.

The present invention is intended for use with all forms of capsule 10 and is not intended to be limited to a particular form of injection system 22 or dispensing system 24 associated with machine 20 or capsule 10.

Body 12 of capsule 10 includes a sidewall 30 and an end wall 32 together defining an interior space 34. An opening 36 is defined at one end of body 12 and a flange 38 extends around the perimeter of opening 36.

In another embodiment (not shown), body 12 may be formed with no end wall 32 and no sidewall 30 or a partial sidewall 30. Flange 38 may still extend around the perimeter of opening 36 to receive cover 18 and to support capsule 10 within machine 20. Filter 14 may be secured to flange 38 or to partial sidewall 30 or underside of cover 18.

Filter 14 is adapted to be disposed within body 12 to define at least one ingredients chamber 40 within interior space 24 for receiving one or more ingredients 16. Filter 14 may be secured to flange 38 or to an interior surface of capsule 10 (such as to sidewall 30 proximate to opening 36 or proximate to end wall 32 or the underside of cover 18). Capsule 10 may be provided without filter 14 in instances where ingredients are soluble or where it is desired that ingredients 16 are dispensed together with fluid into a desired receptacle.

Cover 18 is disposed over opening 36 and secured to body 12 such as by sealing cover 18 to flange 38.

Messaging system 40 is provided with capsule 10 to deliver desired information, such as promotional information, to a consumer. Messaging system 40 is adapted to be hidden from consumer until a desired occurrence such as the use of capsule 10 in machine 20.

Capsule 10 may be a closed system of capsule where the components of capsule are not intended to be opened or disassembled during or following normal use of capsule 10. The use of a knife or scissors to disassemble capsule 10 is not considered to be a normal use. Capsule 10 may alternatively be an open system of capsule where one or more components are adapted to be opened or disassembled during or following normal use of capsule. The nature and location of messaging system 40 may vary according to the system of capsule 10.

Referring to FIGS. 2(a) to 2 (c), different embodiments of a messaging system 40 adapted for a closed system of capsule 10 are shown. It will be understood that such embodiments may be incorporated into an open system of capsule 10 as well.

Messaging system 40 is provided with capsule 10 and adapted to deliver desired information such as promotional information without requiring capsule 10 to be opened or disassembled. Desired information is delivered typically following purchase of capsule 10 by a consumer such as during use of capsule 10 in machine 20.

One example of messaging system 40 is a substance 40 a disposed in capsule 10 that is adapted to interact with fluid injected into capsule 10 in order that product dispensed from capsule 10 has one or more distinctive attributes not normally associated with the product that is intended to be prepared by capsule 10. Distinctive attributes may include distinctive colour, smell, sound, texture or taste attributes. For example, substance 40 a may be a colored dye, a flavor or aroma additive, or a fizzing or foaming agent. Substance 40 a may alternatively comprise a temperature sensitive ink or a dissolvable dye that is applied to an interior facing surface of body 12 or cover 18 that changes color or dissolves during use of capsule 10 in order to reveal promotional information through body 12 or cover 18.

Special ingredients 16 a may be disposed in capsule 10 in place of ingredients 16 normally used to prepare product. Special ingredients 16 may for example be ingredients that enhance the distinctive attributes produced by substance 40 a. Special ingredients 16 preferably have a similar weight and consistency to ingredients 16 that are normally used with capsule 10 in order that a consumer cannot identify the contents of capsule 10 by weight or by feel prior to use in machine 20.

Capsule 10 may further include a verification system 42 adapted for verifying promotional information delivered by capsule 10. Verification system 42 may comprise indicia 42 a disposed on the interior or exterior of capsule. Indicia 42 a may comprise words (e.g., “winner”), a serial number, an image or other indicia adapted for verifying the authenticity of the information delivered by capsule 10. Verification system 42 may also be incorporated within the material for body 12 or filter 14 (such as source indicia disposed directly onto fibres used for filter 14).

Another example of messaging system 40 is a visual or audible signaling system 40 b disposed in capsule 10 and adapted to emit a signal following a triggering event. Signaling system 40 b may for example produce a flashing light, a visual image, an alarm sound, a musical passage, an audio message or any other appropriate visible or audible signal. Signaling system 40 b may be activated upon exposure to moisture, such as during injection of fluid into capsule 10 by machine 20. Signaling system 40 b may alternatively be activated by interaction with injection system 22 or dispensing system 24 of machine 20 such as by completing or disrupting an electrical circuit associated with signaling system 40 b.

Referring to FIGS. 3(a) to 3(c), different embodiments of signaling system 40 b are shown. Signaling system 40 b includes a power supply 43, a sensor 44 (such as a moisture sensor), a processor 46 and a signaling device 48 such as an LED or speaker. Processor 46 may include a storage device 48 a for storing one or more signals to be emitted from signaling device 48. The signaling system 40 b shown in FIG. 3(a) includes a moisture sensor 44 and may be secured to a surface of capsule 10 that is exposed to moisture such as end wall 32. The signaling system 40 b shown in FIGS. 3(b) and 3(c) includes a sensor 44 that is adapted to be pierced by probe 24 a (as shown in FIG. 3(b)) or nozzle 22 a (as shown in FIG. 3(c)). Sensor 44 may comprise an electrical circuit that is completed or disrupted by piercing of probe 24 a or nozzle 22 a.

Another example of messaging system 40 is an identification system 40 c having a transmitter or receiver that is adapted to interact with a corresponding transmitter or receiver that is external to capsule 10. Identification system 40 c may for example include a tag, such as an RFID tag, that is disposed in capsule 10 and adapted to interact with a reader, such as an RFID reader, disposed on machine 20. Reader may alternatively be associated with an inventory control system at a retail outlet where capsule 10 is purchased. Identification system 40 c may alternatively be a barcode system disposed on an exterior surface of capsule 10 and adapted to interact with a barcode reader disposed on machine 20. Barcode reader may alternatively be disposed at a retail outlet where capsule 10 is purchased.

In another embodiment as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, capsule 10 is an open system where one or more components of capsule 10 are adapted to be opened or disassembled during normal use. Similar reference numerals are used to refer to similar elements as the embodiment discussed above.

Capsule 10 includes cover 18 disposed over opening 36 and secured to body 12. Cover 18 is adapted to be separated from body 12 following use of capsule 10 such as by pulling a tab 60 a disposed on cover 18 and peeling cover away from body 12. Filter 14 may be secured to cover 18 and thus separated from body 12 together with cover 18. Alternatively, filter 14 may be secured to body 12 in a manner that is adapted to be separated for instance by pulling a tab 60 b disposed on filter 14 and peeling filter 14 from body 12. Alternatively, filter 14 and cover 18 may be peeled in unison from body 12 by gripping tabs 60 a and 60 b and then filter 14 may subsequently be peeled from cover 18 by pulling apart using tabs 60 a and 60 b.

Capsule 10 may include a removable closure 62 disposed over a portion of capsule 10 that is intended for removal prior to use of capsule 10 in machine 40. Removable closure 62 may be provided for example to cover an opening 64 defined in end wall 32 of capsule 10. Removable closure 62 may provide a barrier seal to preserve the freshness of ingredients 16 prior to use. The removable closure 62 is removed prior to placement of capsule 10 into machine 20 in order to expose opening 64 to allow product to be dispensed from capsule 10.

Examples of capsules 10 having one or more removable components are provided in co-pending U.S. patent application No. 61/760,880, Ser. No. 14/098,915 and 2012/0058226 each of which are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference.

Referring to FIG. 4, messaging system 40 comprises indicia 40 d that is exposed during or following normal use of capsule 10. Indicia 40 d may include words (e.g. “winner”), a serial number, an image or other indicia adapted for conveying promotional information. Indicia 40 d may be embossed, stamped, printed, adhered or otherwise applied to an interior surface of body 12, such as side wall 30 or end wall 32, or to a surface of filter 14, cover 18 or removable closure 62 that is hidden until filter 14, cover 18 or removable closure 62 is removed from body 12. Indicia 40 d may alternatively be a distinctive color of filter 14 (e.g. gold filter) or interior facing surface of body 12, cover 18 or removable closure 62.

Preferably, indicia 40 d is applied to capsule 10 in a manner that is not effected by exposure to extreme temperatures associated with the use of capsule 10 in machine 20. Preferably indicia 40 d is etched, scribed or embossed to a surface of capsule 10 such as by laser. Indicia 40 d preferably includes a unique code that includes particulars regarding production of capsule 10 (such as date, time, location, batch number etc) to reduce tampering and fraud.

In one embodiment, capsule 10 may be formed with a cover 18, removable closure 62 and/or body 12 comprising a multilayered material that includes messaging system 40 as described and shown below.

Referring to FIG. 5, a sectional view of cover 18 is shown. Cover 18 is formed of a multilayered material that includes an outer layer O1, a graphics layer G1, a barrier layer B1 and a sealing layer S1 as known in the art. Cover 18 further includes a messaging layer M1 with indicia 40 d disposed between barrier layer B1 and sealing layer S1. Indicia 40 d may be disposed on messaging layer M1 in known manner for applying graphics such as by printing. Sealing layer S1 is provided to seal ink or other materials used to form indicia 40 d from contact with the contents of capsule 10 prior to or during formation of the desired product. Sealing layer S1 is preferably formed of a transparent material such as polyethylene (PE) that permits indicia 40 d from messaging system 40 to be viewed through sealing layer S1. Removable closure 62 may be formed in a similar manner as cover 18 with indicia 40 d.

Referring to FIG. 6, a sectional view of body 12 is shown. Body 12 is formed of a multilayered material that includes an outer layer O2, a barrier layer B2 and a sealing layer S2 as known in the art. A graphics layer (not shown) may optionally be disposed between outer layer O2 and barrier layer B2. Body 12 further includes a messaging layer M2 with indicia 40 d disposed between barrier layer B2 and sealing layer S2. Indicia 40 d may be disposed on messaging layer M2 in known manner for applying graphics such as by printing. Sealing layer S2 is provided to seal ink or other materials used to form indicia 40 d from contact with the contents of capsule 10 prior to or during formation of the desired product. Sealing layer S2 is preferably formed of a transparent material such as polyethylene (PE) that permits indicia 40 d from messaging system 40 to be viewed through sealing layer S2.

In one embodiment, cover 19 or body 12 may be formed from a transparent multilayered material. Graphics may be applied in known manner to graphics layer to cover a portion of the transparent material and corresponding indicia 40 d may be applied to messaging layer M at a location where indicia 40 d is disposed beneath graphics such that indicia 40 d is not visible from the outside of capsule 10. Alternatively, a transparent masking agent, such as a first UV (ultraviolet) ink 70, may be applied to graphics layer and transparent indicia 40 d, such as may be formed with a second UV ink 72, with may be applied to messaging layer M. Transparent masking agent acts to screen transparent indicia from being detected from the outside of capsule 10. Transparent indicia 40 d is adapted to be identified when subjected to specific conditions such as when illuminated with UV light.

Referring to FIG. 7, messaging system 40 may alternatively comprise a promotional object 40 e disposed within capsule 10. Promotional object 40 e may include a ball, disc, game piece or other physical object. Promotional object 40 e may be exposed when filter, cover or removable closure is removed from body 12. Promotional object 40 e may have words (e.g. “winner”), a serial number, an image or other indicia adapted for conveying promotional information.

While the above description provides examples of one or more processes or apparatuses, it will be appreciated that other processes or apparatuses may be within the scope of the accompanying claims. 

I/We claim:
 1. A capsule for use in a machine to prepare a desired product, the machine having an injection system for injecting a fluid into the capsule and a dispensing system for dispensing the product from the capsule to a desired receptacle, the capsule comprising: a body defining an interior space having an opening; ingredients disposed in said interior space for mixing with a fluid to prepare a desired product; a messaging system disposed in said interior space, said messaging system being adapted to deliver a desired message upon the occurrence of a triggering event; a cover disposed over said opening for sealing said interior space.
 2. The capsule of claim 1, wherein said triggering event comprises the injection of fluid into said capsule.
 3. The capsule of claim 2, wherein said messaging system comprises a moisture sensor for sensing when fluid has been injected into said capsule.
 4. The capsule of claim 2, wherein said messaging system comprises a sensor for sensing when said capsule has been pierced by at least one of the injection system and dispensing system of the machine.
 5. The capsule of claim 3 wherein said messaging system further comprises a signaling system, said signaling system emitting a desired signal upon said moisture sensor sensing when fluid has been injected into said capsule.
 6. The capsule of claim 3 wherein said messaging system further comprises a signaling system, said signaling system emitting a desired signal upon said sensor sensing when said capsule has been pierced by at least one of the injection system and dispensing system of the machine.
 7. The capsule of claim 1, wherein said messaging system comprises a substance that is adapted to interact with fluid injected into said capsule in order that product dispensed from said capsule has one or more distinctive attributes not normally associated with the product that is intended to be prepared by said capsule.
 8. The capsule of claim 1, wherein said messaging system comprises a sound emitter.
 9. The capsule of claim 1 wherein said messaging system comprises a tag.
 10. The capsule of claim 1, further comprising a filter disposed in said interior space for filtering at least some of said ingredients. 